It's election season, and one of the greatest privileges we have in America is selecting our own leaders. While we might have varied opinions of who should win, the fundamental characteristics of good leadership remain constant.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is making a habit of telling people things they don't necessarily want to hear on subjects ranging from fuel standards and fatherhood to homophobia and teacher pay.

Stern and unsmiling, the professorial portraits lining the hallways of the University of Missouri-Rolla's chemical engineering department project a singular message: science is serious stuff. The graybeards in those photos would likely be aghast at the scene unfolding inside a nearby Schenk Hall classroom.

Barack Obama is not interested in running for vice president. The Democratic presidential hopeful made that clear during an appearance Monday on CBS' Late Show With David Letterman. Letterman asked Obama if there had been any discussion of the Illinois senator sharing the Democratic ticket with New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Fox News, rebounding from a presidential debate squabble with Democrats, has a new deal with an old debate partner. The cable news network will co-sponsor primary debates for each party's presidential field this fall in association with the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute.

The state of Virginia passed a resolution without objection Saturday, and went further than any state has gone to become the first state to express 'regret' over slavery. States and cities across the country are considering resolutions, launching studies and taking other actions to recognize slavery in their history.